A student-led improv group, The Laughbackers, performed its first show Wednesday at the Allen-Bales Theatre.
MFA theatre graduate students, Cole Hintz, Lucas Olive and Ryan Bergman, all formed the improv group early in the fall semester. Since then, they have held auditions and practices leading up to Wednesday’s performance, titled “The Cornbread Prophecy.”
The show incorporated a series of improv games, switching between performers. It was led by multiple hosts that explained each improv game to the audience, with the impromptu comedy sketches following shortly after. Many games had audience participation, with volunteers shouting out random words and phrases that were integrated into some of the games as prompts, guessing elements and random subjects for the performers.
“In August, we kind of laid the groundwork that we wanted to get an improv team going. So it’s been a long, long time coming,” Hintz said. “It’s been really rewarding to be able to see everybody’s work pay off.”
Bailey Hansler, a freshman majoring in social work, said she enjoyed being a part of the show and that she felt like she was a part of the choices that the performers made.
“We are all joking before and after rehearsals. It’s a really great team dynamic,” Hintz said. “It’s nice to see the camaraderie with everyone.”
The improv group also offers a unique experience for performers who have a passion for comedy but do not study acting. Sarah Hardy, a junior majoring in creative media, was a performer for the show. She said she did not know what to expect when joining, but that it was a valuable decision.
“It’s really nice performing with people. A lot of times they’ll give back as much as you give,” Hardy said. “In practice it is only us, so it was nice hearing laughter from the audience.”
Many of the audience members were supporting their friends performing, creating a communal collaborative experience.
Hansler said that these events show the character on campus and demonstrate why people came to the University of Alabama.
Next semester, The Laughbackers plan to hold more auditions to expand their group, and they want to continue having more events on campus for both students and the community.
“It was very rewarding to hear all the laughter because of the truth in the comedy on the stage,” Hintz said. “I am excited to have people out again in the fall and for more shows to roll around.”
